Former Ajax and Ghana midfielder Abubakari Yakubu has passed away at the age of 35.

The news was revealed in a statement from the Ghanaian Football Association on Wednesday afternoon.

"We're sad to hear the death of former Ghana, Ajax and Vitesse midfielder Abubakari. Our thoughts are with his family. May his soul RIP," read a statement from the Ghanaian FA.

Yakubu, who represented Ajax between 1999 and 2005, is understood to have passed away in hospital after battling an unspecified illness.

The 16-time Ghana international also turned out for Vitesse during a professional career which spanned 10 years.

Former Everton boss Ronald Koeman was among those to pay tribute to Yakubu on social media following the news of his death.